Dom Howson

Head coach Carlos Carvalhal is confident his Owls players will keep their cool in the heat of the battle against arch rivals Leeds United.

Wednesday, who are close to completing the signing of defender Vincent Sasso, welcome their West Yorkshire counterparts to Hillsborough tomorrow looking to bounce back after their shock loss at Burton Albion in midweek.

Carvalhal told The Star: “We have an experienced team. The players have played in plenty of derbies in their careers. We know what we must do in this game.

“Derbies are tough games around the world. The emotion is high. The energy with our fans at Hillsborough makes a big difference. I believe we can do well.”

Tom Lees is pushing for a start versus his former club after recovering from a foot injury. His return to full fitness boosts Wednesday’s centre-back options.

Defence is still an area the Owls want to bolster and the Championship club are closing in on centre-half Sasso, having agreed an undisclosed fee with Portuguese club Braga. The Frenchman is set to sign a one-year contract.

Sasso, who travelled to South Yorkshire yesterday to finalise the deal, spent last season on loan at Hillsborough, clocking up 19 Owls appearances.

Carvalhal said: “We have three very good centre-halves. We have been trying to find the fourth but the market is not easy in England. We think we will solve it very soon and we will be with four central defenders. There will probably be a defender (coming in) before the weekend.”

Meanwhile, the Owls’ trip to Cardiff City has been moved back by 24 hours to Wednesday, October 19.